Hypocrisy, authenticity, and the rhetorical dynamics of populism

Research output: Chapter in Book/Conference proceedingChapterScientificpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Charges of hypocrisy are a feature of public life: government actions contradict their own commitments; private failings of public figures are exposed in themedia. However, declining trust in politicians has coincided with the rise of populists vowing to sweep away "elite"corruption - to "drain the swamp"in Donald Trump's phrase. In populist rhetoric, the "will of the people"is honest and unambiguous, its disregard for accepted norms proof of its courage and authenticity. This chapter first proposes a typology of hypocrisy allegations in mainstream Britishmedia. Then, through analysis of examples fromcoverage of climate activism, it shows how, in populist discourse, allegations of hypocrisy serve to stifle debate and discredit valid positions, while reinforcing the authenticity of the popular will.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Pragmatics of Hypocrisy
EditorsSandrine Sorlin, Tuija Virtanen
Place of PublicationAmsterdam
PublisherJohn Benjamins
Chapter5
Pages97-123
ISBN (Electronic)9789027247056
ISBN (Print)9789027247056, 9789027247056, 9789027247056, 9789027247056, 9789027247056, 9789027214614
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Mar 2024
MoE publication typeA3 Part of a book or another research book

Publication series

NamePragmatics and Beyond New Series
Volume343
ISSN (Print)0922-842X

Keywords

  • hypocrisy allegations
  • authenticity
  • populist discourse
  • British press
  • climate activism

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